A/N: As promised, here's chapter 4! And praise be to the Lion, my writer's block is finally starting to back off! (cue halelujah chorus) The chapter after this one should be finished soon, but I won't be able to update for about a week; I'll be away at music camp! Whoohoo! So just bear with me and be patient, okay? Yo, let's dig some shout-outs!

Almyra: Oh yay! You reviewed! And you like it! My day is officially made. I'm glad you like the goodnight blessing I came up with and that my decriptions are okay. Yes, we will find out about Reepicheep's papa in the next chapter, so stay tuned! And if you ever do want to use that blessing, just let me know. (There was more to it, but I decided to cut it out...)

Kelev: Amen! You're right; thunderstorms are amazing. When I was smaller, I sometimes thought it was God talking to me. :-) We'll find out what happens to Reep in this next chappie...

floppyearsthebunny: Thanks! I'll keep going.

Thanks for reviewing, Narniacs! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Again, reviews are chocolate!

Chapter 4: Fearless No More

The wind grew into a tempest, the rain beating down in merciless torrents and great lakes and rivers of muddy water forming all around him, making his way forward virtually impossible. Blinding bursts of lightning flashed around him, lighting up the forest split-seconds at a time. The thunder cracked and rumbled as if the sky were splitting in two, making the air throb in his ears and the ground vibrate beneath him. And as the storm raged on around him, he became acutely aware of how very small and helpless he was.

KA-BOOM!

Another bolt of lightning streaked across the churning sky and flashed in his eyes, blinding him for a moment. His foot caught on something and he fell flat on his face into a deep mud-puddle. He tried to get back up, but instead he lost his footing and found himself caught in the rush, being washed further away in a cold, unforgiving river of muddy rain-water.

"Aaaaaah! Help! Help! Hel…" His wailing squeaks were drowned into a gurgle by an unexpected mouthful of water. He coughed and spluttered and thrashed wildly about, still crying out for help; but no answer came, save the booming voice of the thunder above him.

His paw finally grabbed onto a strong stalk of grass hanging over the rushing water and he pulled himself out, still clinging desperately to his precious wooden sword. He staggered through the rain-soaked grass and over to the base of a nearby beech tree, where he found a small, dark hole. He dragged his dripping, shivering, bedraggled self inside the little shelter and huddled in the farthest corner, where it was dry…and safe.

He hugged his knees to his chest with his tail curled about his feet. He tried to fight back his tears and sternly told himself that brave knights never cry, but it was as useless as trying to dam up a river with a stick. He buried his head in his furry arms and sobbed, tears running down his dirty face and dripping off the tips of his tiny whiskers. He was wet to the skin and plastered with mud. He was cold and exhausted. He was lost and all alone. He was flat out miserable, and though he didn't want to admit it to himself…he was terrified. Reepicheep the Fearless was fearless no more. What if nobody ever found him? What if he couldn't find his way back? He might never see his family again. Why, oh why had he been so foolish?

After a while his sobs died away and the storm blew over, leaving a gentle drizzle behind. He was just beginning to fall asleep when a soft, kind, rustling voice said:

"Well, well. Look who's been hiding in my tree!"

Reepicheep started and looked wildly around him.

"Who's there?" he demanded, grabbing his weapon.

"Nay, my dear lad; you needn't fear me," chuckled the voice. "All are welcome to take shelter here, especially you."

He loosened his grip, still suspicious...but now he felt the echoes of memory stirring within him. That rustling voice…the music, the lightness of it…it sounded strangely familiar.

"Who are you? And where are you? I can't see you anywhere."

"My name is Goldleaf," the voice answered. "Why don't you come out of that hole, Reepicheep? You'll be able to see me better that way."

"Wait; how do you know my name?"

"Just come out and you'll see."

He felt thoroughly confused, but he got up and skittered out of the hole to meet the voice.

He came out into the cool night air and looked around him. The last few drops of rain lightly fell and the clouds rolled away, revealing the deep, dark sky and the bright summer constellations once again. The forest was peaceful and quiet, and the frogs and crickets took up their singing again. The fresh, clean smell of rain hung in the air and the wet grass sparkled in the starlight. Everything was back to normal, if not more beautiful than before. Then Reepicheep remembered the voice and began looking for where it came from.

"Hello?" he called uncertainly. "Anyone there? I still can't see you."

"Over here, little mouse," said the voice, which seemed to be coming from the beech tree he'd been hiding in. He turned and looked up at it, feeling puzzled. Just then, though there was no wind, its smooth, stately bows began to sway and the leaves murmured. Some of the leaves blew off, swirling and dancing before him. He gasped in wonder and his eyes widened, for in the middle of the graceful leaves the shape of a person formed; and soon a tall, regal woman in a light gown of misty silver-gray came into view.

"Why, you're a—a dryad?"

Goldleaf smiled at him and nodded.

"Yes, I am a beech dryad."

"But I thought all the dryads and naiads were asleep!"

"They all are," she replied, her voice sighing mournfully, "except for me. I am the last of the dryads who has been able to resist it. But even now, my strength is waning. Good trees are still being cut down, the streams are still defiled; and it will not be long before I also fall into slumber and join my brothers and sisters." She paused, and for a moment her eyes grew sad and weary; but she smiled again. "But enough with such talk. What I'd like to know is why I find you so far from home hiding in my tree from a raging storm when you should be in bed."

"Oh, uh…" A guilty and somewhat embarrassed look crossed his face, and he began speaking very quickly. "Well, I had a funny dream that had a song in it and I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep, 'cause when I remembered the song it made me feel extra brave and ad—ad-ven-sher…"

"Adventurous?"

"Uh-huh. So I ran away and went on a quest and I tried to keep going, but the storm came and I got lost and I almost drownded but I didn't, and I went inside the hole in your tree so the rain wouldn't get me anymore. And now I'm lost and I'll never see Mama again and I just want to go home." He snuffled and wiped his nose with his tail, hoping that Goldleaf wouldn't notice the trembling of his lower lip or lecture him on how silly he had been. But she only gave him a comforting smile; the good, encouraging, down-to-earth kind that doesn't make you feel patronized or stupid.

"Courage, Reepicheep; all is not lost. I shall take you home myself."

"You will?" he said hopefully, his drooping ears perking up immediately.

"Of course I shall. But first, come over here and let me have a look at you."

He obliged, and the dryad stooped down and took him in her hands, her wise eyes observing him.

"Goodness, child; how you've grown," she murmured. "The last time I saw you, you were only a tiny kit."

"A kit? Is that how you know me?" It then all pieced together in his mind, and he finally knew. "Why, you're the dryad Mama told me about!"

"Yes." Goldleaf smiled at his recollection. "Your mother asked me to bless you just two weeks after your birth. I came and sang a special verse over you. Some might call it a prophecy."

"The same one I hear in my dreams that gives me funny feelings?"

"That is right."

"That song…what does it mean?"

The dryad raised her eyebrows mysteriously.

"Even I do not know that, Reepicheep. I do not always understand what I say, and I don't need to. I am merely a humble servant of the Lion; I only do what He leads me to do, and say what He wants me to say. That verse is part of your story, not mine. You are the one meant to discover what it means. Now," she said, in a brisk, final tone, "it is high time I took you home. It is two hours after midnight and poor Reenameek is no doubt up worrying about you."

"Oh Goldleaf, thank you ever so much." He looked up at her with fervent gratitude shining in his eyes.

"Not at all, my brave knight," she chuckled. She raised him up and let him sit on her shoulder, and with long, swift, regal strides, she set off in the direction of his burrow.

A/N: That little blue button down there is calling to yooooo...